Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I would like to share two photos with you. They are of a 22nd series 1949 Custom Sedan. I have used this Packard as the subject of articles and mentioned it in some postings here. The first photo (the black and white) was taken on December 11, 1948. It shows the Custom in the showroom of my father's just completed new dealership building. The second photo was taken on November 1, 2012 and shows the automobile next to the building during the grand opening of the Santa Fe School of Cooking.

The school recently bought the building for its new home. Our family sold the building to the previous owners in 2001. The school did an extensive remodeling of the interior, completely changing the space, but the exterior retains its original look.

I have been in contact with the new owners, providing them with a history of the building, and have an ongoing friendship with the current owner of the Custom. I thought it would be wonderful if the Custom could return to its beginnings to help celebrate a new beginning for the building. The school owners embraced this suggestion and invited the Packard and its owner to the celebration.

(o{}o)

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JW,

That is great, that they saved the building. Here in Fort Worth, they have torndown most of the old dealerships.

man thats cool to see!

Hank, Santa Fe has a very active and aggressive historical review board. The building is in the historical district and comes under its jurisdiction. It is not historical in the sense one usually applies to this term, but it is considered to be contributing and as such is subject to preservation regulations and ordinances. It is a steel frame construction of a space frame design with a Quonset Hut style roof and a Pueblo Revival facade on one side. We like to call this style "Early Pueblo Industrial". I think Santa Fe is better off with its emphasis on preserving rather than allowing all kinds of new construction. Glad you enjoyed the then and now photos. Funny how an old car can affect so many lives.

(o{}o)